Lopetegui Faces Tough Decision on Underperforming West Ham Midfielder

West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has a difficult choice to make regarding midfielder Edson Alvarez following a subpar performance against Bournemouth. The Mexican international struggled during Monday’s 1-1 draw, losing possession 11 times and failing to make an impact.

While some Hammers players shone, including goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski who made 8 saves and Lucas Paqueta who scored from the penalty spot, Alvarez’s lackluster display stood out. The 27-year-old completed just 76% of his passes and failed to effectively shield the defense during his 75 minutes on the pitch.

Alvarez’s role was to drop between the center-backs and bypass Bournemouth’s press with long balls. However, he missed both of his long pass attempts and put his team under pressure by conceding possession in dangerous areas. His lack of mobility in midfield was also exposed.

Since joining West Ham last summer as Declan Rice’s replacement, Alvarez has struggled for consistency. With Lopetegui’s job far from secure, the manager must now weigh up whether to drop the midfielder for upcoming fixtures or give him another chance to find form.

While Alvarez possesses quality, his recent performances have not met expectations for a player brought in to fill such an important role. Lopetegui faces a major decision as he looks to guide West Ham up the Premier League table in the coming weeks.